Modal auxiliary verbs help to state the tense form of any sentence. Instead of using “should” as a past form of “shall,” we must use “should” as an individual modal verb.
‘Should’ as modal auxiliary verb help other verbs of a specific sentence to state a particular tense form. ‘Present Tense’ of a sentence can be expressed with the help of ‘should’ along with the base form of other verbs.
Let us learn facts and explanations related to use of modal auxiliary verb ‘should’ to frame sentences in ‘Present Tense’.
Can the auxiliary verb “should” be used in present tense?
The modal auxiliary verb “should” does not mark any specific tense of any respective sentence without the help of other verbs of a specific sentence. Let us see how.
We can certainly use ‘should’ in the present tense. We must not forget to use the base form of the main verb along with the modal auxiliary verb to state the respective tense form.
Example – Now, you should take a rest as you are not well.
Explanation –
We can certainly mark that “Should” is in the present tense because the sentence has the modal auxiliary verb “should” along with the base or root form of the verb ‘take’.
How the auxiliary verb “should” is used in present tense?
There are always some rules for using auxiliary verbs in sentences. We will learn the placement of “should” in a present tense sentence.
We should place the auxiliary verb “should” just after the position of the “Subject” in a particular sentence. The root form of the main verb of that respective sentence must be placed just after the modal auxiliary verb.
Example – I should hire a taxi this time as I am running late.
Explanation –
The word “should” has been placed just after the subject “I” and followed by the root form of the verb “hire”. Thus, we can say that the correct way to use ‘should’ in the present tense has been followed in this example.
When the auxiliary verb “should” is used in present tense?
We must learn various aspects of using “should” in present tense. A list of aspects and related examples are given below.
| Aspect | Example |
| “To do inquiry” | Should I come in, Sir? |
| “To mark a hypothetical situation” | I wish to be a free animal of a jungle. |
| “ To frame direct statement” | I should go home now as my mother is waiting for me. |
| “To give advice” or “to give suggestion” | It is too hot and you should take a bath now. |
| “to provide recommendation” | You should pick the blue colored pair of shoes. |
Explanation –
We can certainly say that all the above-mentioned examples are in ‘Present Tense” because the root verb or the present form of the main verb has been placed in each example after the modal auxiliary verb “should” which has been also placed just after the subject of that respective sentence.
Why the auxiliary verb “should” is used in present tense?
We can not conjugate verb form of present tense if we are using ‘should’ in that sentence. Let us see the reasons behind using “should” in the present tense.
The auxiliary verb “should” is used in the present tense to refer to any type of action which needs suggestion, recommendation, advice, or enquiry while the root form of the verb is showing the time of action.
Example – You should eat healthy food to make yourself prepare for yoga.
Explanation –
“Should” is in use to state the meaning “suggestion” to the action “eat”. The example is in the present tense as the root form of the verb ‘eat’ is in use after the modal auxiliary verb.
Formula and structure of should used in present tense –
There are mainly three types of ‘Structures’ to frame ‘Present Tense’ sentences with the modal auxiliary verb ‘Should’. Three types of structures of using “should” have been given below.
| Type of Sentence | Structure | Example |
| Affirmative Present Tense Sentence | Subject + should + main verb if base form + remaining words | You should wear a formal dress to attend the wedding ceremony of your friend. |
| Negative Present Tense Sentence | Subject + should + not + main verb if base form + remaining words | You should not wear a casual dress to attend the wedding ceremony of your friend. |
| Interrogative Present Tense Sentence | Wh word + should + subject + main verb if base form + remaining words | What should we do to book a window seat on the bus? |
Explanation –
The first example is in the affirmative or positive mode because the modal verb “should” is directly followed by the ‘base form” of the main verb while the second example is certainly in negative mode because the word “not” is present just after the modal auxiliary verb. Third example is in interrogative mode. We must note the presence of question mark sign at the end of the third example.
Examples of should used in present tense –
If you want to learn the proper use of “should” in the present tense, then you must go through related examples and explanations. So, let us check it out.
| Serial Number | Example | Explanation |
| 1. | You should perform more to gain skills in football. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “suggestion”. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘gain’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
| 2. | What should you do to come out of this situation? | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “inquiry”. The sentence is in interrogative present tense mode as the base form of the verb ‘do’ has been placed after the subject. |
| 3. | Where should you go to collect some books related to your research? | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “inquiry”. The sentence is in interrogative present tense mode as the base form of the verb ‘go’ has been placed after the subject. |
| 4. | I should not go to Digha via road. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “suggestion”. The sentence is in the negative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘gain’ has been placed just after the word ‘not’. |
| 5. | I should go to Digha by train. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “recommendation”. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘go’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
| 6. | Pijush should write a letter to his mother on regular basis. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “suggestion”. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘write’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
| 7. | You should see the latest collection of track pants at Pantaloons. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “suggestion”. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘see’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
| 8. | You should get a haircut before the birthday party. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “advice”. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘gain’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
| 9. | We should not worry about politics as it follows its stream. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “suggestion”. The sentence is in the negative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘worry’ has been placed just after the word ‘not’. |
| 10. | You should get a bill for your medicines. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “advice’. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘get’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
| 11. | I should present myself like a tiger to face this society. | Here, the modal auxiliary verb “should” is in use to give “hypothetical situation”. The sentence is in the affirmative present tense as the base form of the verb ‘present’ has been placed just after the modal auxiliary verb. |
Conclusion –
We must make the note that the form of the main verb in the present tense sentence with ‘should’ must always be in base form or root form.
Hey! I am Arpita Bose Roy. My qualifications are M.A. in English with B. Ed. in both general education and special education. I have 2 years of experience as a “language analyst” at IIT Kharagpur and 4 years of experience as an “Academic Content Developer” at IIT Kharagpur. Currently, I am working as an academic writer at Lambdageeks.
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